Edward R. Derby

Ed was born on August 22, 1926 in Little Valley, NY, son of the late Charles and Alice Venman Derby. His family resided in Little Valley for three years before moving to Frewsburg, NY where he attended local schools, graduating high school in 1944. Later in 1944, Ed enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station, FL until the end of WWII.

Returning home to Frewsburg in 1946, Ed was locally employed at Moore’s Hardware for the next 33 years. He was a familiar face around Frewsburg. Ed married Betty Engblom and the two made their home in Frewsburg for the next 44 years.

Ed played semi-pro baseball as a pitcher for the Frewsburg team in the NY/Penn baseball league for ten years in the late 40’s and 50’s. Following his baseball playing days he took up golf for the next 50 years, playing in the Monday Night League at Cable Hollow Golf Course. He also played each Wednesday with close friends in the area. Ed maintained a low handicap throughout his golfing days and was a club champion and hit a hole in one at the Blueberry Hill Golf Course while golfing with a friend.

Ed was a life member of the Frewsburg Volunteer Fire Department and served as Chief for several years. He was also a life member of the Frewsburg American Legion Post 556 which is named after Ed’s uncle, Samuel Derby, a casualty of WWI. Additionally, he served as a board member for the Maple Grove Cemetery Association for numerous years.

Ed was an active member of the Frewsburg United Methodist Church during which he served as a church elder as well as a past president of the Board of Trustees. Additionally, he sang in the choir for 10 years. He was instrumental in the renovation of the church in 1983 including installation of a lift for handicapped church members.

In his 50’s, Ed took on a new challenge as sales representative for the Jamestown Post Journal. Businessmen and women will remember Ed’s friendly smile and handshake as he served the area selling newspaper advertising from 1976 to 1993. After retiring from the newspaper, Ed worked part-time at Greg Mackie Appliance in Frewsburg for a short while.

Following the death of his late wife Betty in 1994, Ed made plans to move to Florida to play golf every day. In a chance meeting the following year, he met Marilyn Oberg. They married soon after and moved to Florida together. Ed and Marilyn discovered their mutual love of travel and “traveled the globe” during the next ten years of their life together. Love of family and friends brought Ed back to Warren in 2005 where he lived until 2023 when he and Marilyn moved to the Rouse Suites in Youngsville where he resided until his death.

In addition to his wife Marilyn, he is survived by his two stepsons, David Oberg of Warren, PA and John Oberg of Auburn, CA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews he loved and was especially fond of as well as his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Charles Derby; two brothers Charles and John; sisters Mabel, Marianne and Eleanor; his first wife Betty; stepdaughter Carole Finger; and stepson Daniel Oberg.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025 in the Rouse Suites Community Room, Youngsville, PA. Pastor Michael Rutenber of First Methodist Church Warren will officiate.

In accordance with Ed’s wishes, a private graveside service will be held at a later date in Maple Grove Cemetery, Frewsburg.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider the Humane Society of Warren, PA, or First Methodist Church Warren.

Peterson Funeral Home, Frewsburg is handling arrangements.

You may leave a memory of Ed and words of condolence by visiting www.petersonfh.net.